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‘Absolutely surreal’ says Ennis doctor on Miss Ireland win

A CLARE doctor who worked in a hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic has been crowned the new Miss Ireland. Ivanna McMahon, 27, from Barefield told The Champion she is “over the moon” to have taken the title at 75th Miss Ireland competition which was held on Saturday at The Royal Theatre, Castlebar. Ivanna, who qualified for the competition as Miss Munster, will now go on to represent Ireland in Miss World later this year. Speaking to the Clare Champion Ivanna says she is thrilled with the win, though she admits it came as a surprise. “I’m absolutely delighted, I’m still a little bit in shock. It was definitely a surprise, absolutely surreal, but I’m absolutely thrilled.” Cheering her on at the ceremony were her proud parents Catherine and Brian alongside other family and friends. “It was brilliant having them there supporting me. I can’t get over the overwhelming amount of support and well wishes that everyone has given me, from …

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Free concert to highlight climate change issues

CLIMATE Actions Now has announced a series of free concerts in Clare to showcase Irish, African and British artists. The first one will be on Friday, August 26, at Teach Ceoil in Ennistymon, from 2.30-5pm, while there will be a second at the same venue from 8pm to 10.30pm. Then on Sunday, August 28 there will be another at Moy Community Hall starting at 8pm. The line-up will include the Davies Brothers from Kilshanny, Violveine from Corofin and Moy, Planxty Óg from Ennis, Niall Morrissey from New Quay, Ronan Lewis from Moy, Mohamed Adam who is relocating to Lahinch from Dublin and Tinta Tribe from South Africa and Mozambique. These acts will be showcasing new works and their existing repertoire before bringing their show to the Climate Actions Now stage at The Electric Picnic in Laois in early September. Robert Stephenson CAN Founder/ CEO said, “We are delighted to present this exciting innovative project with the support of Clare Arts …

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WDC Investment Fund returning high growth rate

A UNIQUE fund set up 20 years ago to invest public money in West of Ireland-based businesses, including 13 in Clare, has generated a return of almost two-and-a-half times its original value and helped provide Ireland’s economy with a €3.3 billion boost, new research has revealed. An analysis into the socio-economic impact of the Western Development Commission’s Western Investment Fund was carried out for the WDC by Indecon, Ireland’s leading independent economic research and consultancy organisation. Indecon says the fund has provided “an impressive contribution to economic activity in the Western Region and has made a significant contribution to the national economy”. It has achieved a financial return on investment of almost 2.5 times its original Exchequer allocation of €31.75m: the fund is currently valued at €73m and has been self-financing since 2010.     The WDC Investment Fund provides seed and venture capital and loan finance to companies and community projects across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare. It co-invests with private sector investors on a commercial basis …

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Turbine operators claim noise is below recommended levels

THE predicted noise levels for a controversial wind turbine in Parteen are below the maximum recommended day and night time levels set out in the 2006 Wind Energy guidelines, according to new planning documents. An Enforcement Notice issued by Clare County Council on March 8, 2021 requested Limerick Blow Moulding to decommission and remove a wind turbine erected near the factory on or before Thursday, April 8, 2021 following an alleged breach of a planning permission condition. However, this wind turbine, which has attracted numerous planning objections from residents, two Clare deputies Cathal Crowe and Violet-Anne Wynne and Senator Timmy Dooley, is still in situ albeit not operational. The company recently applied for retention permission for a revised site boundary and revised position of a single 800 KW wind turbine, 73 metres high to hub height, as granted under previous planning permissions at Gortatogher, Parteen. Employing 70 people, with more than half living in Parteen, Clonlara and Killaloe, Limerick Blow …

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Company refused planning retention for ‘blot on landscape’

AN Ennistymon company has been refused planning permission to retain two electronic signs descried as “a travesty and a blot on the landscape”. An objection from a local resident had been very critical of the signs and their “lurid animation” at Daktronics Ireland Ltd premises in the Deerpark Industrial Estate in the town. “Their huge LED sign is an eyesore and a blight not only on the town of Ennistymon but also on the surrounding countryside,” the submission stated. “It was built without permission, illegally, and should not be allowed to be retrospectively allowed considering the phenomenal detrimental effect it has on the surrounding area,” he claimed. The objection added, “I myself live across the valley from the site and the huge LED sign is bright enough at night to cast a shadow in my bedroom and its repeated lurid animations are both distracting and disturbing.  “Throughout the whole of last winter their sign caused me unnecessary stress as I …

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Sound work lands MÓRglór award for west Clare studio

MALBAY Studios, which is run by Martin, Anne and Seán O’Malley, will be the recipient of the 2022 MÓRglór award.  MÓRglór is an acknowledgement and celebration by glór of the wealth of artistic talent within the county, all of whom provide a vital stimulus for the growth and development of Clare’s unique culture. This annual award, named after Clare’s cultural ambassador and visionary, Muiris Ó Rocháin, is curated by glór in partnership with Dr Tim Collins as producer of the event, and who coordinated the original concert in 2013. An anonymous panel of traditional arts practitioners and experts, assembled by glór, selects an awardee, fitting with the objectives and spirit of MÓRglór. With the vista of the Atlantic as a backdrop, Malbay Studios is an integral part of the musical landscape of Clare. Under the careful and patient stewardship of Martin O’Malley, Malbay Studios has a reputation of distinction in recording, production and mastering since its establishment in 1997. It …

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Wait goes on for Shannon Aldi decision

WELL over a year after Clare County Council rejected Aldi’s plans for a Shannon store, An Bord Pleanála has yet to make a decision on an appeal. A spokesperson for An Bord Pleanála this week said that its inspector has already completed work on the case, but it still has to go before the board of An Bord Pleanála. She was unable to say when this would happen, but that the agency is dealing with a significant backlog. While the board usually goes along with the inspector’s recommendations, that is not always the case. Indeed, on a previous occasion an inspector had recommended allowing an Aldi store to go ahead in the town, only for the board to overrule them. There has been much anger in recent years over how Shannon has developed, and the Council’s decision to block Aldi’s proposals led to more disquiet in the town. When the most recent Aldi application came before the Council, it was …

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Auditions for children to ‘Hook’ a part in UCH Peter Pan panto

CLARE children who love to be in the spotlight could be in with a chance of performing in the ever popular panto in University Concert Hall, Limerick. This year’s Christmas show will be Peter Pan and auditions are being held for the children’s dance chorus along with the roles of John and Michael Darling. The University Concert Hall and Robert C Kelly Panto is now in its tenth year and has grown to become one of the most eagerly anticipated shows in the country. Johnny Ward, Fair City favourite and grand finalist of RTÉ’s 2019 Dancing with the Stars, will cast as the infamous Captain Hook in this year’s production. Joining Johnny on stage will be long time UCH panto favourites Richie Hayes and Limerick’s own Myles Breen. “If your child loves panto, loves to dance and would love to share the stage with some iconic Irish performers, then the UCH Panto Kids’ audition is for them,” said a spokesperson …

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